Dr. José A. Rodriguez stands as a distinguished leader in the field of catalysis and surface science, bringing nearly three decades of pioneering research to bear on fundamental questions in chemical physics. Currently serving as a Senior Scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, he also holds an Adjunct Professor position in the Chemistry Department at SUNY Stony Brook, where he bridges the gap between fundamental research and academic training. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Rodriguez completed his undergraduate education at Simon Bolivar University, earning dual BS degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering followed by an MS in Theoretical Chemistry. He furthered his academic journey in the United States, obtaining his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Indiana University, Bloomington, which laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work in catalytic materials characterization. His career trajectory at Brookhaven National Laboratory, spanning over thirty years, has positioned him as a central figure in the development of advanced techniques for studying chemical reactions at the molecular level.
Dr. Rodriguez's research program has fundamentally transformed how scientists understand and characterize catalytic materials through the innovative development and application of synchrotron-based techniques including high-resolution photoemission, infrared spectroscopy, time-resolved x-ray diffraction, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. His work has resulted in over 450 scientific publications that have significantly advanced the field of catalysis, particularly in the development of novel catalysts for critical energy-related reactions including CO oxidation, methane conversion, water-gas shift processes, and CO2 hydrogenation. During his early years at Brookhaven, he pioneered the adaptation of specialized ultra-high vacuum chambers originally developed by NASA for studying catalysts in precisely controlled environments within the National Synchrotron Light Source. This innovative approach enabled unprecedented insights into the structural, electronic, and chemical properties of catalytic materials as they undergo reactions, providing the scientific community with powerful new tools for materials characterization. His methodological contributions have established new standards for in situ and operando studies of catalytic processes, influencing research directions across multiple national laboratories and academic institutions worldwide.
As a Distinguished Scientists Fellow at Brookhaven, Dr. Rodriguez continues to expand the frontiers of catalysis research through his current work with the National Synchrotron Light Source II, focusing on understanding how catalysts' properties evolve during reaction processes with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. He has cultivated extensive collaborative networks across the scientific community, working closely with researchers at Brookhaven's Center for Functional Nanomaterials, the University of Kansas, Stony Brook University, and Columbia University to address complex challenges in energy conversion and storage. Recognized for his significant contributions to the field, he was named a Fellow of the American Vacuum Society, an honor reflecting his impact on surface science and vacuum technology. Throughout his thirty-year career, Dr. Rodriguez has served as a dedicated mentor and collaborator, guiding numerous researchers and helping to shape the next generation of scientists in the field of catalysis. His ongoing work promises to deliver further breakthroughs in sustainable energy technologies, with particular emphasis on developing advanced catalysts that could play a crucial role in addressing global energy challenges and reducing carbon emissions through improved chemical conversion processes.
